MATARESE ET AL.: BLENNIOIDEA 



569 



identifying specific groups within this infraorder. Except for the 

 densely pigmented famihes hsted above, pigment along the dor- 

 sal body midline is rare in preflexion larvae. With development, 

 pigment may increase along the dorsal midline or on the nape. 

 Initially, lateral pigment is either absent or consists of a few 

 spots internally along the notochord. After notochord flexion, 

 internal and external pigment can increase ventrolaterally. or 

 above and below the notochord (Stichaeidae, Bathymastendae, 

 and Pholidae). Typically, a series of ventral midline melano- 

 phores occurs in preflexion larvae. Although these melano- 

 phores may be absent in some families (Chaenopsidae, some 

 Tripterygiidae), a number of families have larvae with up to 50 

 melanophores here (e.g.. Blenniidae). The number, size, and 

 shape of these melanophores can be very important when iden- 

 tifying groups. These spots may change shape with development 

 (becoming y-shaped in Tripterygiidae and some Blenniidae), 

 decrease in number (some Blenniidae and Stichaeidae), or be- 

 come subcutaneous (Stichaeidae). 



Fins. — With the exception of zaprondsand some blenniids, fins 

 are rarely pigmented in preflexion larvae. After notochord flex- 

 ion pigment develops on the various fins of blenniids, anarhich- 

 adids, and ptilichthyids (Table 146). 



Hypural margin. — Pigment in the caudal area is usually lacking 

 in preflexion larvae, and in postflexion larvae its presence is 

 limited to a few families (Table 146). 



Meristic characters.— The number of dorsal fins varies from one 

 to three and in most families some combination of spines and 

 rays is present, with spines predominating. Tripterygiids, clin- 

 ids, and labnsomids may have up to three dorsal fins, the first 

 two composed of spines. The total number of dorsal elements 

 is highly variable but in some groups (stichaeids, anarhichadids, 

 and ptilichthyids) well over 100 elements are present. The anal 

 fin in most groups may include 1-2 spines. Stichaeids may have 

 up to 5 anal spines. Information on the caudal fin is incomplete. 

 In addition, from data available in the literature, principal rays 

 and branched rays are not consistently distinguished. Most groups 



have between 9 and 15 (usually about 12-13) principal caudal 

 fin rays and about 25-30 total caudal fin rays. All possess a 

 pectoral fin with as few as 3 (labrisomids and clinids) or as many 

 as 25 (zaprorids) fin rays. Pelvic fins can be present or absent. 

 The northern families, except some stichaeids and pholids, lack 

 pelvic fins. Tropical families usually possess thoracic pelvic fins 

 with 1 spine and fewer than 5 rays (mostly 2-3 soft rays). 



Vertebral counts are unknown for many blennioids or are 

 based on few specimens. The number of vertebrae is highly 

 variable within some families (e.g., stichaeids, blenniids, an- 

 archichadids). In general, tropical families have a lower verte- 

 bral count than do northern families. 



The order of fin ray development is highly variable in the 

 Blennioidea. Information available on this is also inadequate, 

 since in most studies reviewed here larvae have not been cleared 

 and stained to determine the onset of ossification. In the tropical 

 families where notochord flexion occurs as early as 3.6 mm, fin 

 ray development may begin as early as 2.5 mm. Caudal fin rays 

 develop first in clinid and labrisomid larvae, followed by the 

 remaining fin rays soon after notochord flexion is complete. 

 Typically, pectoral fin rays develop first in blenniid larvae (Blen- 

 niini and Salariini). In Ombranchini larvae (Blenniidae), the 

 pectoral fin rays and caudal fin rays develop simultaneously. 

 Among the northern families, data are insufficient to allow any 

 generalizations. Fin rays begin forming at 9-1 5 mm in stichaeid 

 larvae (usually caudal fin rays first) but may not be complete 

 until larvae are 30 mm (Fig. 303B). Zaprorid and cryptacan- 

 thodid larvae begin caudal ray development about the time 

 notochord flexion occurs. Fin ray development in ptilichthyid 

 larvae begins with the dorsals and second anal at 40 mm. 



Relationships 



Although the scope of the available egg and larval data within 

 the Blennioidea is limited, early life history characters reviewed 

 here do not support the cohesiveness of this group. Due to a 

 lack of unifying characters, the infraorder Blennioidea, as pres- 

 ently arranged, probably does not form a monophyletic group. 

 Early life history characters appear to be more useful in clarifying 

 relationships between families or within families rather than 



Table 146. E.xtended. 



